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There is always a story for everyone, that moment frozen in time, where a sudden realization came about. A realization about something that needed to be done, then and there. We call it “turning a new leaf” or that “defining moment”. It is when the heart and mind connected to form a steely and most determined resolve that will forever change one’s life.

Such moments are full of happiness, sadness, fulfillment and joy, tragedy and the sweet smell of success. Without us realizing, these moments were aplenty though at most times, we failed to capture or even recognize it. Yet for every Muslim, this particular moment comes about every year during this holy month of Ramadhan.

It is a month full of blessings, where each good intention can easily be achieved. For during this holy month, the doors to the sky (heavens) are opened up and when all prayers (du’a) are answered. Allah the Exalted said, “Has not the time come for the hearts of the believers to submit and humble themselves?” Clearly, it is in this month, Allah’s Mercy, Grace and Blessings are in abundance, readily available for those who wants it.

Put it in our hearts and minds, that this month, in this year, we want to be closer to Allah and His Mercy, Grace and Blessings. Regardless of how far we have strayed, how we have forgotten Him, now could be that defining moment. By us being able to live through this Ramadhan in itself is a sign of His Grace, to allow us to make that step towards being a better Muslim.

Yes, indeed we have committed way too many sins, lead of life of total neglect to His ways, too bad were all of us in desperation. Yet His Mercy, Compassion and Grace to His servants are far greater. Ours is not a caravan of despair, or of giving up; ours is a caravan of loving mercy and continuously turning back to Him.

This is the month where we take that huge step of defining our own moments. And in total faith that Allah SWT will readily accept us, in full forgiveness. For which then, we will become better servants, better person, and most importantly, better Muslims.

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The Prophet SAW said, “The rights of the Muslim upon the Muslim are six.” It was said, “And what are they Oh Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “When you meet him, give him the greeting of peace, when he invites you, respond to his invitation, when he seeks your advice, advise him, when he sneezes and praises Allah, supplicate for mercy upon him, when he becomes ills, visit him, and when he dies follow him (i.e. his funeral).” [Narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, reported by Muslim]

The First Right: “When you meet him, give him the greeting of peace.”
The greeting of peace is a great inducement of love and it will lead us to an increase in faith/belief. And only a Believer will enter Jannah (Paradise).

The Prophet SAW said, “By the o­ne in Whose Hand is my soul, you all will not enter into the Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other. Shall I not direct you to something that if you do it, you will love each other? Spread the greeting of peace amongst yourselves.”

Just imagine that when every Muslim meets another Muslim, he would cheerfully greet with a message of peace. And this is extended to every walks of life, resulting in everyone wishing the best for each other. Surely, that would be a wonderful world to live in, yes? And of course, the one who initiates the greetings is the best.

The Second Right: “When he invites you, respond to his invitation.”
A Muslim is obliged to accept an invitation as it is truly an honor to be invited. Only a valid excuse of greater things may be of exemption from accepting the invitation. And once it is accepted, it is mandatory to fulfil the invitation by attending it. This is a fine way Islam teaching us of forging solidarity.

The Third Right: “And when he seeks your advice, advise him.”
Often enough, a person being asked is revered as having more knowledge. Honor that reverence by properly dispensing advise as if you are the solicitor. If its is worthy of a good cause, advise him to go ahead and do it. If it might bring any harm, advise him against it. Treat the advise with respect, sincerity, compassion and confidentiality. For verily whoever deceives the Muslims, then he is not of them, and indeed he has left off the obligation of being sincere and advising.

The Fourth Right: “And when he sneezes and praises Allah, then pray for mercy upon him.”
The act of sneezing is a blessing and a favor from Allah SWT, in the expelling of congested air that is blocked in certain parts of the body of the human being. Thus, making it easy for this air to have a passage out where it can exit, and thus providing relief.

As such, the Prophet SAW warranted that Allah SWT be praised for this favor, and for his (Muslim) brother to say to him,“May Allah have mercy upon you.” He also commanded the person who sneezed to answer his (Muslim) brother by saying to him, “May Allah guide you and set right your affairs.”

Therefore, whoever does not praise Allah, does not deserve for others to pray for mercy upon him. For he is the o­ne who has caused himself to lose the two blessings: the blessing of praising Allah, and the blessing of his brother’s supplication for him that is a result of the praising.

The Fifth Right: “And when he becomes ill, visit him.”
Visiting the sick is from the best of the righteous deeds. And whoever visits his Muslim brother, he remains engulfed in the mercy (of Allah), and when he sits with him the mercy (of Allah) covers him. And whoever visits the sick Muslim at the beginning of the day, the Angels send prayers of blessing upon him until evening comes, and whoever visits him at the end of the day, the Angels send prayers of blessing upon him until morning comes.

There are certain ‘adab (protocols) when visiting the sick i.e. supplicate for him to be cured, giving him glad tidings of well-being and recovery). Most important is to advise him of repentance and turning to Allah for help to be cured. make the visit short and sweet, long enough to be welcome.

The Sixth Right: “And if he dies, follow him (his funeral).”
For verily whoever follows the funeral until the deceased’s body is prayed over, then he will receive a Qeeraat of reward. And if he follows the funeral procession until the body is buried, then he will receive two Qeeraats of reward. And following the funeral procession contains (fulfillment of) a right for Allah, a right for the deceased, and a right for the living relatives of the deceased.(Translator’s note: A Qeeraat is an amount equivalent to the size of the Mountain of Uhud in Madinah.)

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A beautiful and touching poem that made the respected scholar Imam Ahmad cry upon hearing it.

If my Lord asks me ‘Have you shyness in disobeying me? You conceal your sins from my creation – and with sins you come to me.’So how will I answer? O woe to me – and who shall protect me?I keep averting my soul with thoughts of hope – from time to time.And I forget what is to come after death – and what is to come after I am shrouded.

As if I am guaranteed life (eternally) – and that death will not come to me.And when the severe stupor of death overtakes me – who will protect me?I looked at the faces, is there not from amongst them who will ransom me?I will be asked regarding what I’ve prepared in my life to save me (on the Day of Judgement). Then how will I answer – after I’ve neglected my religion.

Woe to me! Did I not hear the Speech of Allah inviting me?Did I not hear what came in (the chapters of) Qaaf and Yaa Seen?Did I not hear about the Day of Gathering, the Day of Assemble and the Day of Judgment?Did I not hear the crier of death inviting me, calling me?

So O’ my Lord, a slave (turning to you) I have repented – so who then shall shelter me?Except a Lord extensive in forgiveness – to the truth He will guide me.I have come to you (in repentance) – so have mercy on me, and make heavy my scales (with good deeds).And lighten my account – You are the best of who will bring me to account.